Australia’s government plans to introduce “world-leading” legislation to bar children under 16 from social media. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the bill, set to be presented in parliament next week, aims to reduce the “harm” social media platforms pose to young Australians.
“This is for the parents… They, like me, are deeply concerned about our kids’ safety online. I want Australian families to know that the government is on your side,” Albanese said.
While specific details are yet to be finalized, the government has clarified that the ban would not apply to those already on social media, and no exemptions will allow under-16s on social media with parental consent. Responsibility will lie with social media platforms to demonstrate efforts to restrict access. The eSafety Commissioner, Australia’s online safety regulator, will be tasked with enforcing these rules, though no penalties will target individual users.
Once passed, the legislation will take effect in 12 months and will be reviewed after implementation.
Though experts widely agree that social media can negatively impact adolescents’ mental health, there’s debate about the effectiveness of outright bans. Critics argue bans only delay young people’s engagement with apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook instead of helping them learn safe online navigation. Past attempts by the European Union to impose similar restrictions faced resistance from tech companies and have been challenging to enforce due to tools that bypass age-verification.
The Australian Child Rights Taskforce, in a letter signed by over 100 academics and 20 civil society organizations, criticized the proposed ban as overly restrictive. They urged the government to focus on implementing “safety standards” on platforms instead. The UN also recommends that online regulation policies aim to provide children safe access to digital environments rather than restrict it.
On the other hand, grassroots campaigners argue that age restrictions are necessary to shield children from harmful content, misinformation, and social pressures. A petition from the 36Months initiative, with over 125,000 signatures, supports a minimum age of 16, claiming young people are “not yet ready” to navigate social networks and that excessive usage is reshaping young brains during critical developmental stages, contributing to a mental health crisis.
Asked about education as an alternative approach, Albanese suggested this wouldn’t be enough due to the power imbalance. “I get unwanted content on my own device – imagine a vulnerable 14-year-old,” he remarked. “These tech companies are incredibly powerful, with algorithms that influence behavior.”
